In this case, though, people are not being friendly or curious about how Floyd’s day’s going. Rather, the “what’s up” is in regards to “What’s up with your hitting?” And right now, the answer would be, not much.

Over his last 10 games, Floyd has mustered just four hits in 35 at-bats. He has just one homer and two RBIs – hardly the kind of production the Mets need from their second-best hitter.

Floyd got the day off Sunday and with yesterday’s off-day, he’s had a full 72 hours since his last game Saturday. Hopefully for him, that’s enough time to forget the performance – an 0-for-5, four-strikeout game against the Marlins that’s dropped his average to .248.

After working in the cage these last couple days, Floyd thinks he knows what the problem is.

“I cannot for the life of me hit the outside fastball,” he said.

Floyd has been baffled by the pitch of late, and what’s stranger is it’s not as if he hasn’t had success with that pitch and location before. Indeed, Floyd is a career .284 hitter. There aren’t many pitches he hasn’t been able to handle.

“I’ve crushed that pitch. I’ve hit it a mile,” he said, as he taped up his bats before last night’s game against the Twins. “Right now I’m not touching it.”

Floyd said there is no true remedy to the problem. He was asked whether standing closer to the plate could benefit him, but he dismissed the suggestion. That’s not the problem.

Neither, apparently, is more batting practice. Quipped Floyd, “I’m the best 5 o’clock hitter you’ll ever see,” a reference to what time the Mets take BP.

But what is making things worse is that Floyd’s current weakness is certainly being exploited. Big league pitchers are smart, and everybody has scouting reports. If a batter isn’t hitting a pitch, he’s going to be fed a steady diet of it.

“It doesn’t get easier,” Floyd said. “It’s not like they say, ‘We know you can’t hit that pitch. We’re going to throw you inside.’ ”

Although he missed 28 games with a strained right quad, Floyd said his health is not a problem (“No excuses”). He’s been back since May 13, so any rust at this point should be gone.

“I don’t care how much time I missed,” he said. “If you can hit, you can hit.”

The Mets have managed to play well despite Floyd’s struggles, but it’s clear they can’t afford this to continue. As the only lefty power bat in the lineup, Floyd is way too important to the team for them to withstand many more 4-for-35’s.

Last night, Floyd was in the three-hole, right in front of the scorching Mike Piazza. But while the Mets don’t seem inclined to drop Floyd in the order any time soon, he knows he can’t anchor that middle of the order if he’s not hitting.

“You can’t continue to stay at the top of the order,” he said, “if you don’t produce.”

And you can’t produce if you can’t hit the outside heater. Only when Floyd finally does, will it be easier for him to walk down the street.